Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 58: The Skirmish at Fort Twilight

An explosion rumbles out, reaching Daniel, Ryuogriar, Xyreko, and Erimaya in the carriage. Praemar and Xiannelle cry out, “Princess!”

Erimaya looks to Daniel. “D-Daniel?”

He can only sigh. “Looks like negotiations turned south.”

“It was unlikely they would trust that these are their own soldiers after this long,” replies Ryuogriar.

“I'm willing to bet it had more to do with 'Empress Hekate Fell Lawson' suddenly showing up in person at their gates.” Daniel puts his helmet on as he says this, snugging the fasteners for his armor and picking up his sword.

“I'm sorry for all the trouble,” murmured Erimaya.

“It's not your fault, Erimaya. Hekate wanted to make a show so that as many people as possible know not to mess with her. What you're hearing is the fort resisting, but she won't hurt anyone.”

She nods, looking up at him with concern. He already has his helmet on, so smiling would do no good. So, Daniel reassured her by petting her head the same way he did with Hekate. Erimaya blushes, and Xiannelle growls softly. “Sit tight. Xyreko, if we need to evacuate, transport Erimaya and her attaché to safety before anything else.”

“As you wish, your Grace.”

Ryuogriar follows as Daniel steps out of the carriage, and the soldiers are nervously watching the small battle taking place at the gates. Hekate has already blown the gate open with her ice-rifle and fire magic, which looks bigger and more devastating than it actually was. She's now on the upper wall, disarming soldiers in swaths using her magic and agility as they try everything they can to pin her down. She seems to be having fun as far as Daniel can tell.

“We've got a long way to go with our Empress, don't we, Mukori?” asks Ryuogriar dryly.

“Just remember, Ryuogriar, that our little Empress helped me conquer the Citadel. I brought the firepower, but I couldn't have navigated without her.”

Ryuogriar is quiet for a moment. “I wonder if the old lord could process the irony… He brought her back to the hoard as little more than a whelp. I’m… sure she’s told you…”

“Dragons find her true form ugly.” The two walk towards the gate as Hekate distracts/embarrasses the soldiers guarding the fortress. She’s thankfully being careful not to hurt any of them too badly, and her small size and agility make her untouchable to them. She’s also laughing, which will do nothing positive for the soldiers and their morale.

“The lord certainly did… He knew what she was. We all did. I can’t say I ever foresaw this future, but she… was a child. I didn’t find her attractive, but I can’t count how many times I’ve felt guilt over her treatment… when we mighty dragons couldn’t produce a single viable child that lived more than a year.” She looks at Daniel with shimmering eyes. She’s not crying yet, but she’s feeling something deep with her thoughts. “I hope it resonates with all who deem themselves almighty. That which you look down on has a line of sight on your throat.” She looks up at the wall and Hekate as they draw closer. “I have given it much thought. And, she is still a child.”

“Do you know Hekate’s actual age?”

“Yes. She’s fifteen, just as you’ve likely assumed all this time. I don’t know where the lord found her, as the only remaining feldroks should have been the Feral Feldrok and the Devourer, who were both hundreds of years old.”

Ryuogriar raises her hand, creating a barrier that deflects a barrage of arrows, bolts, and magic spells from the defenders that saw them approaching.

“She looks younger. But, we’ll talk more later. Let’s help Hekate break their disagreeableness.” Daniel withdraws a flashbang, pulling the pin. He keeps the spoon down for a moment. “Ry-Mukori, please deliver this to our guests on that turret up there. You have three seconds from when I let go, and do not be looking at it after second two.”

She smiles and nods. “Ready.”

Daniel throws the flashbang grenade underhand, and she uses wind magic to intercept and carry it up to the turret of the fortress wall firing on them from the left. He calls out the count, “One [Mississippi], Two [Mississippi].” As he counts the third second, he is already looking away, and Ryuo mimics him, “Three [Miss-]” BWAM!

The soldiers on the turret cry out, many of whom are blinded or disoriented by the flashbang grenade. Since it’s still new to them, many of them couldn’t help but look to see what it was, which was just enough time for it to detonate and blind them temporarily.

As they pass through the gate, Hekate shrieks over the inner wall, “Daniel! You butt! That hurt my ears!”

Ryuogriar chuckles, and Daniel apologizes, “Sorry! I-...” He notices she’s wearing her helmet, and she’s listening to him intently. He resumes normal volume, “have decided that my favorite is Ryuogriar.”

“WHAT!?” screams Hekate. She gasps, “I mean, ‘What? I can’t hear you. My ears hurt.’”

Daniel fires his revolver loaded with non-lethal beanbag rounds, which easily knock down the armored soldiers as Ryuogriar casts a spell to turn the ground between them and the defenders into waist-deep and extremely sticky mud.

Ryuogriar teases as she works, “Mukori, perhaps a punishment is in order for worrying you. Each offense could mean surrendering one of her bonding times with you.”

“You shut up!” shouts Hekate from above, cartwheeling out of the way. She points and shouts, “This isn’t over! Daniel, don’t listen to her! She’s evil! Yeep!” She smacks a spear that almost reaches her, and then she pounces the soldier before kicking off of him into an acrobatic backflip.

She still has the spear, and she scolds the soldier, “Hey! That thing’s sharp, and I’m going to need to fight a dragon after this!” She snaps the spear in half, tossing the parts over the wall. “Just surrender. I don’t even want this crummy base. I’m Empress Hekate. I have a way cooler fortress. I’m just trying to return your soldiers!”

Meanwhile, on the ground, Daniel and Ryuogriar have incapacitated most of the soldiers with a combination of Ryuogriar’s magic and Daniel’s tear gas grenades. Twilight isn’t laid out the same way as Peony, with a much more substantial fortress blocking the way ahead. However, they’re inside the outer wall, and the ranged defenses have been drastically reduced. Or at least, the people manning them.

“Daniel! I think I’ve got the leader guy! They keep trying to protect this old man!” She drags a man down the stairs by the leg, in spite of his attempts to kick free. She tosses him in front of Daniel and Ryuogriar, immediately squaring up to Ryuogriar. “As my reward, I want Ryuogriar…”

“Who are you?” asks Daniel, directed at the man as he ignores Hekate.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me!”

The man tries to spit, and Daniel fires into his chest armor, causing the middle-aged man to cough and yell in pain. “There’s no cause to be disrespectful. After all, you don’t want my dear companion to spit on you in turn.”

As if on cue, Ryuogriar puffs a small breath through her lips, ‘spitting’ a puff of blue fire. She smirks coldly, and Hekate crosses her arms, puffing herself up proudly like a frog trying to look big next to the well-endowed appearing dragon in humanoid form. “And, I can do far worse.”

Ryuogriar doesn’t poke at Hekate this time, simply allowing her to be prideful.

The man, having seen the fire, becomes nervous. Daniel states, “Three people have all but walked through your defensive perimeter. If you’d like the charade to continue, we’ll level the fortress. But, we’re not here to fight. Just take your soldiers back, send them on their merry way, and never let them return. They’re cursed to die if they enter into Fievegal territory again ever in their lives.”

The man’s eyes widen, and he glances at Hekate. “You think my darling would lie to you? I know you’re important. But, Daniel has even more terrible ways of extracting…”

“D-Daniel?” asks the man.

“Yep. The one and only, it seems.” Daniel removes his helmet, revealing his unremarkable and very human face. “I survived the assassination attempt and we captured all of the soldiers. And, in the process of attempting to assassinate me;”

“The Emperor of the Citadel,” adds Hekate pointedly.

“And, the Conqueror of Dragons and the Feldrok Sorceror,” adds Ryuogriar warmly.

“And, and, the Harbinger of Calamity,” finishes Hekate a little competitively. Ryuogriar simply smiles. 

Daniel takes a breath and exhales, staying composed. “Your soldiers attempted to harm Empress Hekate Fell Lawson, Queen Dragon Ryuogriar, Queen Dragon Reignleif, and Queen Dragon Geirahoel. In the world I come from, we called that an ‘international incident’ in the best case scenario. In the worst case scenario…” He looks at Ryuogriar and Hekate as if the word has escaped him.

Hekate holds up a finger, answering intelligently, “I think we have a term for that in this world, Daniel. ‘Declaration of War’.”

“Ah! Yes, that’s the one. Declaration of War.” Daniel looks at the man again. “So, I ask again, who are you, and who is in charge of Fort Twilight, who deployed assassins? We’ll be including their names in the formal declaration of war with the east.”

“Y-You’re; They’re demons! We’re already at war.”

Suddenly, a humongous spear stops less than an inch from Daniel’s cheek, halted by the magic barrier bubble Ryuogriar is keeping around the three of them. The spear -or rather, the scorpion bolt-, floats in midair, captured in magic. Daniel exhales deeply. It actually startled him quite a bit, and if Ryuogriar wasn’t present, he’d be dead.

Hekate puffs her tail up, glaring at the castle. Ryuogriar declares coldly, “Hekate, I am with you in obliterating this entire fortress. I hear this valley was quite scenic long ago.”

Hekate nods. “Agreed. Let’s turn this entire… OW!” She’s cut off by Daniel bonking her helmet lightly with his fist, and he flicks Ryuogriar’s forehead, and she whines, “Mukoriiii! Whyyyy!?”

Daniel looks at the man once more, who is horrified that Daniel is still alive, it seems. “We’ll overlook this latest attempt on our lives, since we did kinda break in. But, that was the last attack we’ll overlook. Hekate, Mukori, NOW if we’re attacked, you may clear this valley of synthetic constructions.”

They both cheer up instantly, and they face the castle, cackling together.

The man waves his hands desperately, shouting, “Hold attack! Dear gods, hold the attack!”

The soldiers around them that were moving into position call out, “General!?”

He sighs, and Daniel smirks. “General, is it? Well, then that makes it highly likely for two things to be facts; you’re the commanding officer of this base, and you’re a member of the Grand Zenkon Empire specifically.” Daniel pulls the general up to his feet, aiming his revolver at the man’s chest. Hekate pouts, “Awww… They’re actually not attacking.”

“Seems these human-kin are wiser than they often behave.”

Hekate looks up at Ryuogriar skeptically. “You realize, if you and Daniel make a child, it would be a human-kin, too, right?”

Ryuogriar blushes, glancing nervously at Daniel. 

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, focusing on the general. “Now, General, I don’t much care who and what you tell after all of this. You will be opening up the gates, and you will be letting the twenty thousand troops you sent west return to the east. And, I can’t force you, but I’m going to strongly advise you to beg, plead, grovel, and bargain for the Empire to never send troops to Fievegal territory again. We’re not allies with the Demon Covenant, and we just want to be left alone. Do that much, and your children and grandchildren will retire without worrying about us.” He points the pistol under the general’s chin, and the general tenses. “Don’t do that much, and there won’t be an Empire for your grandchildren to grow up in. Don’t know how much more sincere and clear I can be than that.”

After a nervous and tense moment, the general nods. “I… I understand… We’ll let the soldiers return home. But…”

“‘But’ what?”

Hekate steps closer, growling, “Yeah, ‘but’ what? Daniel’s patience is the only reason any of you are alive, and you want to counter him?”

“I…” The general glances at Hekate and then Ryuogriar. “You would trade your own kind for these demons?”

Daniel takes a deep breath and sighs. He aims the pistol directly into the general’s throat and fires, which caves in his esophagus, and the general collapses, coughing up blood. “Ryuo, heal him please. Don’t let him die, but don’t worry about hurrying.”

She nods. “As you wish, Mukori. But…”

“Please, Mukori.”

“Of course, that’s all I wanted.” Ryuogriar smiles as she begins the healing spell.

Hekate huffs as she observes, crossing her arms. She does bat Daniel gently with her tail, saying softly, “Um… Th-Thank you…”

“People who hate other people for superficial reasons are no kind of mine.”

As soon as the healing spell takes enough effect, the general gasps in a deep breath, coughing as the healing is finished.

Daniel reloads his pistol with lethal rounds, and he says coldly, “I was obviously being naive. I thought the Empire was civilized. But, it’s clearly inhabited by barbarians. The next time you see this weapon, you will die.” Daniel fires at a spare set of armor nearby, and the bullet pierces cleanly through both sides and the wooden frame behind it, chipping the stone of the outer wall. “And, the next time you insult the Empress, you will not die. You will suffer.” Daniel puts his helmet back on, and he says to Hekate and Ryuogriar, “Let’s go. I’m tired of this place.”

“Of course, Mukori.”

“Right behind you!” Hekate skips into step with Daniel, wrapping her arms around his left arm to walk with him. Daniel pauses and states, “Oh, and General. Congratulate yourself on attacking an envoy including the Second Princess of Mornistae. We managed to protect her from your violent attack, and we’ll ensure she’s returned home safely for you.” They exit the fortress and signal for the troops to begin filing in. Xyreko’s golems begin herding the captured soldiers through the destroyed gate. The point was made, and now the soldiers are the eastern alliance’s problem once more.

Xyreko is waiting for them without the carriage, and Daniel asks, “Is Erimaya safe?”

“Of course, Master. As soon as I heard the revolver, I retreated with the Princess and the attache. I recommend delivering her to Fort Peony, since you have a good relationship with the commanding officer there, and allow her to receive credit for providing a safe haven, where an imperial general recklessly attacked.”

Daniel notices one of the Stalvaltan soldiers, Captain Muindis specifically, standing nearby. He asks, “What?”

“Is the princess not going through Twilight?”

“That’s right. We’re sending her somewhere safer, since General whatever-his-name-is attacks envoys without provocation.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, please allow my unit to continue escorting her once she is east of the mountains. We’re going to the same kingdom after all, and we have similar information -less even- than the princess.”

“It is too much trouble. Your unit contained two hundred men, did it not? Erimaya and her attache can be transported to Peony quickly. Transporting two hundred soldiers is…”

“It won’t be that much of a burden, Daniel,” corrects Xyreko’s voice only in his helmet. “In fact, cooperating may create enough division in the eastern forces to hinder further action against us. If he informs them of our abilities, in addition to Erimaya’s testimony, it can add a different perspective to events if he views us in a positive light.”

“Lord… Daniel?” asks Muindis when Daniel goes quiet for several seconds.

“I’ve changed my mind, Captain. Gather your unit together. If you escort Erimaya to Mornistae, we won’t have to do it ourselves.” Daniel looks at Xyreko, and her voice comes through his helmet once more, “I will of course keep golems guarding her until she is home, Daniel.”

He nods to acknowledge her, and Muindis signals his own men. He gathers them together in neat ranks, and they cooperate in spite of their burning questions.

Once the last of the soldiers marches into Twilight, passing through ranks of soldiers that still try to be on defense in spite of the one-sided embarrassment Hekate and Ryuogriar put them through, with Daniel adding even more chaos with his weapons, Xyreko teleports Daniel, Hekate, and Ryuogriar to the carriage first, and then the soldiers in ranks of ten. They’re now all at the Citadel, and Xyreko speaks telepathically to Daniel -through his helmet-, Hekate, and Ryuogriar. “Your Greatness, I would like to ask these soldiers to donate mana to replenish me for this additional effort before they are returned.”

Hekate nods, puffing up. “Listen up soldiers of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy! Since we are doing a favor for you, you must pay with the one thing that you have that we want; your mana. There, at that relic, you will donate your mana to the Citadel as tribute for my good graces, and then we’ll take you to Fort Peony.”

Muindis hesitates, glancing at his soldiers. They’re all unharmed. 

“Let me clarify, this isn’t optional. Otherwise, we’ll send you back to Twilight. Your choice.”

Muindis nods, and he approaches the relic, followed by his soldiers. Xyreko instructs them, and they are able to donate eight people at a time, allowing the process to move through slowly but surely.

After about an hour, all of the soldiers have donated most of their mana, which is enough to deter them from fighting without endangering their lives. They form up in ranks once more, and Xyreko teleports the group in batches to the forest just beyond Fort Peony’s clearing on the western side of the fortress. Daniel, Hekate, and Ryuogriar ride with Erimaya once more.

“Daniel… Will you declare war on the east after what happened at Twilight?” asks the princess nervously.

“No. Not unless they provoke us further. That’s why we’re bringing you to Peony instead. They won’t be able to try to cover it up if a princess and a military envoy who witnessed everything are completely beyond their grasp.”

Xiannelle correctly points out a little angrily, “Everything that you’ve done today could jeopardize the alliance.”

“Xiannelle,” complains the princess.

“You’re probably right,” replies Daniel, not minding the maid’s cold attitude towards him. “But, Hekate approached peacefully. Herself, no less, and they attacked without provocation.”

“One could argue that a self-proclaimed empress taunting the fortress herself could be considered provocation.”

“One could also argue that a haughty maid giving attitude to an envoy could also be considered provocation. The fact is, we came in good faith and were attacked. You don’t have to like it, but deep down, even you know that to be the case. You can do and say whatever you want once you’re past this outer wall, but we’re not your enemies.”

Xiannelle sighs, “Yes, well, it seems you are capable of keeping your word, at least.”

Hekate remarks, “You’re pretty rude for a maid.”

“Forgive me, your Greatness. I have looked after her Highness since she was a babe. After what Daniel did, I find it difficult to show him respect.”

Erimaya finally interjects, “Xiannelle, I’ve told you countless times, Daniel saved my life, and I’ll forever be in his debt. Gods be good, my future will afford me the chance to repay him.” She smiles warmly at Hekate, and the feldrok empress straightens her posture proudly. “Yes, well, we’ll certainly be in touch. We’re friends now, after all.”

Erimaya smiles and nods gratefully.

The coachmen brings the carriage to a halt outside of the gate as Muindis’s soldiers form up in ranks.

“Shall we try this again?” jokes Hekate.

“I’ll walk with you this time,” replies Erimaya. “If I’m with you, they’ll be less likely to attack.”

“Princess!” starts Praemar. “That’s not your place.”

Xiannelle adds next, “Yes, Princess. The border fortresses are manned by soldiers from all territories in the alliance. There’s a very low chance of anyone present being able to recognize you.”

“I agree with Miss Xiannelle,” replies Daniel. "Hekate, Ryuo, or even I can withstand a sudden attack thanks to either our magic or armor. And, we only need their commander to see one of us three. I’ll go.”

“I’m going, too,” declares Hekate. She shoots Ryuogriar a fairly friendly glare, saying with a smug smirk, “Since Ryuo got to go with you last time.”

Ryuogriar simply smirks in return. 

Daniel and Hekate disembark, and Ryuogriar follows them. “What are you doing?” asks the feldrok girl.

“Following my darling Mukori,” retorts the regal dragon woman.

“But… You’re supposed to stay!”

“Why would I do so? Xyreko can defend the Princess and her attache, as well as such a small contingent. Commander Leiwelles is familiar with myself.” She steps alongside Daniel, saying warmly, “Shall we, Mukori?”

Hekate pounces at Daniel, and he manages to catch her, cradling her when she intentionally lands in his arms that way. She bats her tail at Ryuogriar, saying, “Ah! Fine. You can walk with us. But, Daniel is carrying me.”

“Always a tactful person,” jokes Daniel dryly. He begins walking, and Ryuogriar simply wraps her arm delicately around Daniel’s bicep, walking with him. 

Once they reach the gate, the guards seem to recognize them, but they still challenge them in the usual way. “Halt! Who goes there?”

Hekate points from her cradled position in Daniel’s arms, “I am Hekate Fell Lawson, Empress and Ruler of the Fievegal, Lady of the Citadel, and acquaintance of Commander Leiwelles kos Morglodston. Please inform her of our arrival. I shall apologize for arriving unannounced. We are escorting a high value envoy, and it’s imperative she be returned to her kingdom.”

“S-Stand by, your Majesty! We must confirm.”

“Take your time! I’m plenty comfortable. Heeheehee!” Hekate swishes her tail back and forth, stretching in Daniel’s arms while he holds her, showing no signs of dropping her.

The soldiers retreat from the edge of the wall, undoubtedly to discuss and summon the Commander.

***

Commander Leiwelles walks briskly to the west gate. She’s not quite as nervous as last time, but she still has to play it safe. She climbs the wall’s stairs and peers out over the simple battlements of the wall. Sure enough, as her soldiers guessed, she easily recognizes Hekate, Daniel in his armor, and the lady dragon Ryuogriar, though she’s the only dragon present at the moment. She does study the carriage behind them, though. It bears the sigil of the Fievegal, but it’s abnormal. The design of the carriage is definitely from the east, especially since Leiwelles has never heard of demons and demon-kin using carriages the way nobility do in the east.

However, she more easily recognizes the uniforms of Stalvaltan Guards, given that the Grand Duchess herself was just present at the fort. It’s a peculiar sight, but one she knows will only be answered when she speaks to her guests.

“Open the gate,” orders Leiwelles.

“Open the gate!” “Open the gate!” come back the replies.

“Prepare to accept dignitaries and royalty. Form up greeting detail and inform the galley to begin prepping for double population. Rigging and construction teams begin restoring the camping area for our guests. I shall meet with the dignitaries.”

Leiwelles descends back to the ground as Ryuogriar and Daniel walk in, with Daniel still carrying Hekate like a maiden. 

Hekate finally climbs down out of Daniel’s arms, standing tall and proud for her small size with her hands on her hips, and she says proudly, “Greetings, Commander Leiwelles. I have come again. We have brought someone very important, and we need you to ensure she gets home.”

“Oh? Is it the Grand Duchess Aramellianna?” asks Leiwelles, surprised at the quick turnaround.

This surprises the three of them, though. “Grand Duchess?” asks Hekate, looking to Daniel.

Daniel replies, “No. Should it be the Grand Duchess?”

“Oh… I suppose it seemed only natural, since she left here westward not a week ago. Is she residing at the Citadel?”

Daniel looks at Ryuogriar and Hekate. “We… haven’t seen the Grand Duchess.”

“It’s likely she was still en route to the Citadel, and we missed each other,” offers Ryuo, avoiding revealing their method of travel.

“That must be…” remarks Daniel.

Hekate adds, “We’ll search for them on our way back.”

Ryuogriar nods in agreement.

“Xyreko, have you been monitoring the conversation?” whispers Daniel in his helmet.

“Of course, Daniel. Unless you order me not to, I will always be listening to your helmet.”

“Thanks. Any sign of Grand Duchess Aramellianna kos Stalvaltan or her escort?”

“I’ll check with Ucahote. Shall I have him annihilate them on sight? Or, would you take them as warbr-?”

“Don’t finish that sentence, please. You know what I want by now.”

The voice in his helmet chuckles. “Very well, your Grace. I’ll have Ucahote invite them in and watch out for them until we return.”

“Thank you, Xyreko. Please pass my thanks to Ucahote as well.”

“As you wish.”

During that time, Hekate and Ryuogriar were discussing the envoy to be Erimaya, explaining how she came to the Citadel.

“The second Princess of Mornistae travelled all the way to the Citadel on her own…” She looks at Daniel, saying more quietly, “The same princess that…?”

Daniel nods without saying a word, and she straightens. “I see. Then, it seems, you successfully lied to me. Come, we’ll prepare a stateroom for the Princess and meet with you all in private.”

Hekate nods. “Thank you! Can we have a snack, too? We’ve been going back and forth, and I think Erimaya is hungry, too.”

“Of course. I can’t promise quality, but I can gladly have something prepared. Shall we?”

“We shall! Thank you, Commander!”

They meet with Erimaya, who thanks the commander for her hospitality before they head to the conference room. 

“Princess, if you’re alright with overnighting here, you are welcome to stay. I’d feel more comfortable, of course, if you left early in the morning for Castle Northwall. As the border fortress, there’s always a risk of demon attack.” She smiles at Daniel, Hekate, and Ryuogriar. “I expect we’ll be safe enough tonight.”

Hekate replies proudly, “As long as you want, Commander, your Highness. While we’ll be returning tonight, I have given Princess Erimaya my blessing. She will arrive home safely.”

Leiwelles cocks her head, while Erimaya replies, “Thank you, your Greatness.” She and Hekate smile warmly at each other.

Daniel explains, “Erimaya will have the Citadel’s protection, Commander. Please don’t ask further questions.”

She nods reluctantly. “Very well. And, the Stalvaltan soldiers?”

“They’re cursed to die if they return to our territory,” replies Hekate seriously. “Otherwise, they’re free to go. Shame they won’t be able to escort their matron lady, but that’s how it goes. Will you send them home with Princess Erimaya?”

Leiwelles nods. “Of course. We’d only ask them to stay if we were under immediate threat of attack. We… aren’t, are we?”

Hekate scoffs and chuckles. “Not from me. We haven’t heard a peep out of the Demon Covenant, though.”

“I see. But… Do I understand correctly that… dragons are off the menu?” asks Leiwelles, stealing a glance at Ryuogriar.

Ryuogriar replies with a smile, “Of course. We are no longer under threat of the Devourer, the former Dragon Lord is deceased, and the new dragon lord is restoring our population for the first time in centuries. We have nothing to gain by starting conflict now.” She puts her chin on her hand with her elbow on the table, smiling at Daniel.

“Y-You’re… You weren’t already reproducing?”

“No. We were cursed. But, our new lord lifted the curse. We’ll return our race to a place of glory and inspiration for others to look up to. As we always should have been.” She smiles at Leiwelles, knowing fully well that Leiwelles can discern lies with her god-given magic ability.

“I see. Then, as long as you don’t invade, I have no quarrel. Though, I must confess, since we’re being so honest; the thought of more dragons in the world does give me some cause for alarm.”

“If humans were to breed endlessly, I would feel cause for alarm as well. Is it not fair for my people to know the joy of children, Commander?”

“I didn’t say that. I hope your children grow up well, and that you truly do keep your promise.”

“Mine too, right!?” interjects Hekate. “W-When I have them.”

Leiwelles scoffs. “Yes, your Grace. I hope your children grow up wise and kind, and most of all healthy.”

Hekate grins, and Erimaya giggles warmly.

After the meeting, the group say their farewells, and Hekate, Daniel, and Ryuogriar take flight on Ryuogriar’s back to the Citadel and ensure Aramellianna’s caravan is safe. Xyreko teleported back to the Citadel, as her remote golem model can’t fly.

As it turns out, Aramellianna’s caravan arrives at the Citadel only shortly before the three reach the same location, and Hekate makes the decision to play the same game as all the other times, at least to begin with.

***